Customer Reviews

Unshattered

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I heard a clip of Idleflow on Peter's website and my initial reaction was that of "NOOOOOOOOO!!!!" (shakes fist at the gods). I was not pleased with the direction I wrongly assumed he was going in. I was thinking, "He's trying to sell out with a VENGENCE!". Not only was I wrong, thank goodness, but I actually feel kinda guilty for assuming such things. I done disrespected The Murph, I did (hangs head).

I must admit, I was expecting (er, hoping for) a continuation of Dust, only with the Massive Attack-y/low fi industrialness amped up a couple more points. Silly rabbit. The Murph has NEVER in his recording history given listeners what they expect. There's a reason no two Peter Murphy albums sound alike. He likes to mess with your mind, man. He's a mystical dude. The Murph is stagnant for no one.

Right, so, the actual album...I was surprised in the lovliest way. I was expecting a straight pop album and got a "poppy" album that is also a very good album in its own right. "Emergency Unit" and "Blinded Like Saul" are just REALLY freaking good. "Breaking No One's Heaven" is the one that's going to make the most noise, though.

The only problem I have (and I'm still giving the album 5 stars because I think it'll grow on me) are the choruses of some of the songs. I really dug "Face The Moon" and "Idleflow" until the choruses came in. The staggeringly sentimental poppiness just doesn't work with my nervous system, I suppose. I don't know, I mean, I still hate "Hit Song", so maybe I'll never grow accustomed to it, but if you dig that sort if thing, this will remain a fairly perfect album.

This is just a flat out good album. After hearing ONLY the chorus to "Idleflow" at first , I must admit I was apprehensive, but I'm so glad I gave the whole thing a chance and I'm quite humbled. I'm more excited for when I chase Peter's upcoming tour all around the country now. :)

Note: I'll probably edit review later once I get to know the album more...

Update, 11/16/04:
After listening to all of my Peter Murphy albums, I realize that this album isn't any poppier than some stuff on Love Hysteria, Cascade, Should The World or Holy Smoke, and I've grown to love all these albums, so I don't see why this one won't grow on me as well. Yeah, in all honesty, I wish Peter had done something more innovative, as Dust gave me a lot of hope, but this really isn't that hugely different from past offerings. Let's hope the next one is another Dust or Deep, though, I know Peter has it in him. :)

Oh God! Wow! Aaaaaahhhh! I could end this review right here because the preceeding interjections pretty well sum it up!

Okay, let me first address the concerns of this being a "mainstream" effort. When compared to the very "artsy" (some might say "pretentious") leanings of "Dust," this album is quite properly mainstream, but it is by no means any more mainstream than "Love Hysteria" or "Deep." With this being said, I'd actually compare parts of this album to "Should the World Fail to Fall Apart" or even "Love Hysteria." The majority of the album, however, actually seems to pick up where "Cascade" left off. The track "Blinded Like Saul," while quite good, doesn't seem to "fit" with the rest of the album. It is by far the most guitar-heavy track on the album and would have fit nicely on either "Love Hysteria" or "Deep." On second thought, it may have even fit well on "Holy Smoke."

The album opens with the second rendition of "Idle Flow." The original appeared on Peter DiStephano's "project" group, Rambient. On Rambient's only album, "So Many Worlds," the Godfather of Goth contributed two tracks: "Idle Flow" and "We Dive." I don't know which version I like better. I say get them both and enjoy them both.

Here's a breakdown of the other tracks since Amazon (at the time of this review) hasn't seen fit to provide the customary audio samples:

1. Idle Flow -- see above
2. Kiss Myself -- listen to it several times before passing judgement! The accordian (which sounds more like harmonica) really works my nerves, but the song does have a "Scarlet Thing in You" ring to it and that's a good thing to me.
3. Piece of You -- beautiful nylon-string guitar work contained herein. Sounds very "Cascade"ish.
4. Face the Moon -- think my "My Last Two Weeks."
5. Emergency Unit -- very melodic and sounds faintly like Bowie's "Wild is the Wind."
6. Thelma Sings to Little Nell -- absolutely gorgeous! The accordian here is right on target. If you liked "Strange Kind of Love," this is your thing.
7. The Weight of Love -- one of my favorite tracks. The bass guitar reminds me so much of Mick Karn's on the songs from Dali's Car "The Waking Hour." I think many of us may have forgotten about that one for a moment.
8. Give What He's Got -- my very favorite track. This one makes my spine get all tingly, just like "Indigo Eyes" always did!
9. Blinded Like Saul -- see above
10. The First Stone -- This is the one that reminds me of some of the stuff on Murphy's debut album.
11. Breaking No One's Heaven -- It is sort of this album's "Roll Call" with sound effects very similar to that on "Dust." Too hard to define, but good nonetheless.

Okay, well that's it! Go get it!

This is a good CD and it has its moments of brilliance. But the main reason I am writing is to say that the man's voice remains strong and incredible (a previous reviewer said it was not). I just saw him in Atlanta 5/13/05 and he was mesmerizing, witty, and wonderfully strange. The songs that he played from the new album took on a new life when played live. He stepped up there and sang like no one I had ever heard before. Why his genius isn't more widely recognized is beyond me. Hopefully he will continue on with that haunting brilliant voice and persona.

After discovering that the usual sources for carrying works like this (local record stores) were having great trouble stocking this disc, I was reminded of the value of companies like Amazon. Anyway, I got the disc and ignored (wisely) all the negative reviews. I allowed my mind to become immersed in yet another grand and visionary audible voyage by Peter Murphy. Easily, there are at least four or five intensely beautiful and very nicely sung songs on this work, making the unreserved bashings ludicrous. Those listeners who always want rockin' goth from this guy will hopefully realize, over time, that artists evolve - especially seminal artists like Peter Murphy. Artists like this raise the bar each time and do something different (highly unique) each time they're up at bat.

Those who enjoy ballads and gentle, yet powerful, songs will be pleased. His trademark mysterious and thought-provoking lyrics are as intact and improved as his unparalleled baritone (despite the anti-smoking babblings of one of the previous reviewers).

Peter sounds wonderful on this work and ventures into marvelous new space that transcends the vast majority of other music out there. Go tell all your open-minded friends about this one so they show their support and convince the record company that it should be behind this artist 100%. There is nothing on the planet like seeing this majestic performer live.

Peter Murphy always shatters the competition, for he is in a league all his own.

This is probably Peter Murphy's strongest album so far. It is in more of a pop style than the last offering, 'Dust,' but is still good in its own way. The 'single' 'Idle Flow,' is a catchy, radio frindly song, and a great start to the album.

The album seems to have a mystical, dark feel to it. 'Emergency Unit' is musically and vocally the most beautiful song I've ever heard, with the exception of 'Things To Remember' from 'Dust.' It is full of pain, swiriling and beautiful. Not a title track or 'single' but worthy of high praise.

My favourite song of the album though is 'Give What He's Got.' It is one of Peter Murphy's very few lyrically coherent tracks. The lyrics actually make sense, and wow is that meaning potent. It is a song of sympathy for a man's secret mental torture, a man who is hiding his true potential through fear. The song somehow sums up the entire album, the music is lighter and more 'poppy' than usual, like 'Idle Flow,' and the lyrics capture the tortured darker side of the album.

The final track 'Breaking No One's Heaven' is the centerpiece. It is an Opus, a gem in its sheer originality and creativity. 'Breaking No One's Heaven starts with a frightening booming voice that made me jump out of my seat. Then we get a spooky, mystical pop song, with an arabic sounding epilogue. The track satisfied my cravings all in one to hear Peter Murphy go Arabic again, and to find out what he would come out with that could still possibly be original after all this time. Oh he never dissappoints.

I cannot stress more how great this album is. Even if you hate music... buy it.

Peter's new CD is yet again another pure listening delight! Unshatterd not only expertly highlights Peter's unique drama but also bears refreshed inspirations that culminate in a suitable balance of modern style completely in line with his previous projects but not too heavily drawn from them. It's true majesty lies greatly within the landscape of a slick production that espouses Peter's vibrant vocals in a way that's both arresting and hauntingly pleasing. Much of the instrumentation is crisp and clean, serving a well-edged supporting role for Peter's voice, itself often equally as sparse in all its stunning directness. Though much of the CD indeed showcases a more stark, intimate vocal performance, there are still some special exceptions for those who cherish Peter's rich multi voices such as "Idle Flow" whose chorus features a heavenly flood of Peter's voices soaring to the skies and later they reassemble for the sober delivery at the end of "The Weight of Love". His voice, throughout the CD, is surprisingly fresh and gratifying and not, from what I could gather, obstructed or influenced by smoking or age or whatever as one reviewer put forth. The vocals here are as enthralling as those that still enchant Peter's classic "Cascade". Once again to "Idle Flow". While regarded by some as too popish, it nonetheless reaffirms one of his never tiring talents for simply being a suave stylist and one of the greater progenitors of ageless chic. Unshattered in addition highlights Peter's trademark role as ballad. "Emergency Unit", which, as some reviewers have commented could be classed with Bowie's zombie 70's posture, is a fair competitor to "Wild Is The Wind" though Peter's interpretation of this design comes across as much more sincere, vicariously more chilling for the raw cry of it all. Every song on this CD has a special moment or attribute worthy of all Peter's albums, afresh with new perspectives. Unshattered is at once a stunning success and perhaps one open for debate by all those loyal fans who won't let go his gothic origins. It's at best a true work of genius to be equally savored by all. A must buy for fans and newcomers alike

For a few different years in the nineties, Peter and Morrissey were each my favorite singer. While they're not quite my favorites anymore, I'm still a fan and can't help but see the similarities in their solo careers: "classic" songs in the late 80's (Dragnet Drag, Indigo Eyes, All Night Long/Everyday is Like Sunday, Suedehead), followed a little later by deservedly popular albums in Deep and Your Arsenal and quiet masterpieces each in the mid nineties (Cascade/Vauxhall and I). Each took extended time off in the late nineties and each has released an album this year.

The good news is it's great to get new material from both. The bad news is both are as bland as anything they've ever done. Unshattered begins with the catchy Idle Flow. What follows is an album of undistinguished songs, that as someone mentioned in another review sound like material Sting might put out when he's treading water. Some songs near the album's end sound like unsuccessful attempts to capture some of the aggressive pop on Deep. For fans of Peter's voice, it will be pleasant enough to hear him sing on new tracks, but asking anything more of this disc is too much.

Currently, Peter Murphy is the musicle love of my life. So, it was only due time when my pre-order of "Unshattered" would come in the mail and to my surprise...I love the poppiness and soft guitar riffs.

Piece of You and Breaking No Ones Heaven are great songs for the mainstream audience.

Thelma Sings to Little Nell made me so emotional I started to tear. The effects on his voice create a melodic trance that is beautiful.

Kiss Myself has a great upbeat pop/country intro with piano/harmonica than drifts into that nice electro/funkiness that is Peter Murphy. Definitly more mainstream than his previous work, which should help spread the love of this iconic figure.

This album stands tall next to my favorite album of all time, Peter Murphy's "Deep" album. This album should hold its own very well. I would only like to see this type of music played more on the radio and mainstream media. The world surely is a better place with artists such as Peter Murphy around, even though he is one of the last of his breed. A good time to be a fan.

after years of being overshadowed by the ghost of Bauhaus, Peter Murphy has finally broken free from the shackles of the past. and this album, more so than any of his other solo efforts, certainly disassociates him with the doom and gloom of the early 80's. there are those who say that Peter Murphy has sold out, abandoned his roots, etc. it's true that UNSHATTERED is the most mainstream sounding of his albums, far more than that of his 1989 smash DEEP, which re-established Murphy as a solid presence in the Alternative music scene. but it has never been Murphy's intention to be forever branded the 'Godfather Of Goth', hence his reason for constantly altering his sound. the prime example of this is 2002's DUST, with its Middle Eastern-inspired rhythms replacing the dreamy and danceable New Wave that first appeared on 1986's SHOULD THE WORLD FAIL TO FALL APART. on this album, Peter continues to share a strong musical bond with drummer Stephen Perkins (Jane's Addiction, Porno For Pyros) and celebrated guitarist Peter DiStefano (Porno For Pyros, Rambient), as well as reunites with dance music producer/programmer Paul Statham (who collaborated with Murphy from his fledgling days as a solo artist until 1995, then took a break to pursue other projects) and old friend and Bauhaus bandmate Kevin Haskins. no matter how similar his works sound, they are all different in their own unique way. and regardless of what musical path he pursues, Peter Murphy will always remain a true icon in the Alternative music community. whereas some musicians get involved in the business to get rich and get laid, Murphy joined to simply prove that there is no such thing as conventional ideas. has he succeeded? the answer is clear.

this one would be it. i give it 2 stars because i believe that there are some flashes of lyrical and sonic brilliance here, but they fade pretty quickly. i'm wondering where the wheels came off of this album during production -- the quality of the recording is great, peter's voice is amazing, but i'm confused by the patchy and irregular instumental arrangements and the lack of enthusiasm and continuity. please, may the recording contract luck be better with peter next time... and perhaps on the next one we'll have some turkish musicians? ... maybe even playing unplugged? i hope so.